Evacuation ordered as train with crude oil derails in W. Virginia

Another explosion took place hours after a train carrying crude oil had derailed, forcing the evacuation of two West Virginia towns. Everyone is safe, but the fire still rages on in places, with emergency crews deciding to let it burn for the night.

Emergency officials said that people from towns of Adena Village
and Boomer Bottom are being evacuated. At least one tank car
ended up in a local river, while another slammed into a house and
burst into flames.

Several fire departments are working to contain the flames and
the Department of Homeland Security as well as the Department of
Environmental Protection have been notified of the accident, the
Charleston Gazette reports.

“At least one, possibly more, rail cars have gone into the
Kanawha River,” spokesperson for the Department of Military
Affairs and Public Safety Lawrence Messina said. “A house
fire occurred as a result of the derailment. We’re told that
emergency responders are having a hard time reaching the house
fire because of the derailment.”

Kanawha County Emergency Management agency confirmed that several
tank cars and houses have exploded as a result of the derailment.
In a Facebook post, the agency wrote that water systems
downstream from the accident have been notified to close their
intakes.

Locals are being advised to avoid the area. A makeshift shelter
for evacuees has been set up at a local high school.